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While representing the City, employees shall be courteous to all members of the public.
<br />Employees shall be tactful in the performance of their duties, exercise patience, and
<br />control their tempers. They must not engage in argumentative discussions or prohibited
<br />behavior, even if provoked. Course, violent, profane, or disrespectful language or
<br />gestures. As well as prejudicial expressions concerning race, color, creed, religion,
<br />national origin, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation,
<br />membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public
<br />assistance, other characteristic protected by state or federal anti -discrimination law,
<br />lifestyle, or other personal characteristics.
<br />If a member of the public becomes abusive, employees should attempt to de-escalate the
<br />situation. Employees may lower their voice, ask the person to sit down, or, if necessary,
<br />refer the person to a supervisor. If the situation persists, employees may request police
<br />assistance. Employees are not required to continue conversations that include profanity or
<br />threats; in such cases, employees should inform the individual, as courteously as possible,
<br />that they are ending the interaction and will resume the conversation after the individual
<br />has calmed down.
<br />3. Conduct Between Employees
<br />Employees shall cooperate with and treat co-workers at all levels courteously and
<br />respectfully. Employees are expected to refrain from violent, discriminatory, or offensive
<br />behaviors and to act professionally and courteously in their interactions. Inappropriate
<br />behaviors include, but are not limited to:
<br />o Slamming doors, pounding tables, or kicking furniture.
<br />o Unwanted physical contact, such as "roughhousing" (e.g., punching, pinching, or arm
<br />twisting).
<br />o Making threats, berating, belittling others, or refusing to speak or respond when
<br />spoken to.
<br />o Producing inappropriate graphics, using disparaging nicknames, or communication
<br />threats via any medium (voice, e-mail, notes, etc.).
<br />Employees shall refrain from making disparaging remarks about personal characteristics,
<br />engaging in unwanted horseplay or practical jokes, and failing to relay written, verbal or
<br />telephone messages.
<br />4. Reporting Inappropriate Workplace Behaviors
<br />Any employee who believes that another City employee or elected official has engaged in
<br />behavior prohibited by this policy is encouraged to address the situation as described in
<br />paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) below. However, if the alleged conduct involves violent
<br />behavior, discriminatory behavior, or harassment prohibited by City policy, the employee
<br />is responsible for reporting the situation to the appropriate supervisor in accordance with
<br />the City's anti -harassment policy and paragraph (c) of this policy.
<br />a) If possible, politely but firmly tell the person who is behaving inappropriately that
<br />you are uncomfortable with or offended by the behavior and ask them to stop.
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